Taylor Bobbitt: Costume Critique "Lord of the Rings"

       For this costume critique, I decided to watch Lord of the Rings, the 1st and 3rd movie. The reason that I chose the first and third movie is because the characters show the most contrast between the two. (1) The costume designers behind Lord of the Rings are Ngila Dickson and Richard Taylor.

Young Frodo in the Shire

Young Frodo in the Shire

Frodo after the Journey in the Return of the King

       (3) I want to focus on the dramatic difference in costuming (with the same character) over time. In other words, as the characters changed over the course of the journey, the costuming did as well. I think that a prime example of this is with Frodo Baggins. When Gandalf came to the shire in the the fellowship of the Ring, Frodo was portrayed as a very happy and unbothered hobbit. When you look at his costuming, he's wearing white colors, very light and airy. His make up is bright and clean. The blush makes him look happy, healthy, and full of life. His hair is long and bountiful. It looks healthy as well. I think that Ngila and Richard were trying to portray a very young and carefree Frodo, one with youth and without responsibilities. I also think that they use this Frodo for direct contrast with the Frodo during or after the Journey, the Frodo that aged so much mentally and really got a little messed up in the head from that ring. Frodo at Mordor is almost an entirely different human being. Frodo went from being this loyal friend with control and morals, to a broken hobbit with nothing but an addiction to a ring's anger and power. Looking at his costuming, we can see the before and after effects of the ring and the journey to Mordor. His hair is shorter and dry (malnourished looking). His face is beaten, dirty, and dry. His chest is covered in dirt. His clothes are tattered and full of filth. His once white shirt is now brown. His eyes don't look nearly as blue and full of life and curiousity; they look full of misery and need. His costuming reflects this change amazingly with such great contrast. It's symbolic.

Gandalf the White

Gandalf the Grey

        Now, let's look at Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey (the Gandalf in the fellowship of the ring) is a Gandalf who is worn down with adventure. His clothes are simple and of an old, tattered, cottony fabric. His hair is greasy and wavy, as well as his beard. Later on, Gandalf goes through this resurrection-type thingy. He is reborn in a manner of speaking into Gandalf the White. The contrast is so great! His hair is perfectly straight and trim. His beard is perfectly white and trim. His cloak is simple and clean. His staff is white. All of these white things are symbolic of progression and strength and wisdom. I feel as though his character was developed well.
     (5) I would have to say that my favorite costume is Gandalf the White's costume . His costume is so clean cut and white. I can't help but see his character (as the White) as a dependable and clean character. He fights with what seems like more strength. His hair also stays perfect the whole time. It's quite awesome. I wish my hair did that.